Nagapattinam Collector's pat for panchayat chiefs

NAGAPATTINAM: Nagapattinam district fared well in 100 per cent implementation of total sanitation programme.

As many as 27 panchayat presidents received the Nirmal Gram Puraskar from President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam recently for achieving 100 per cent success under the programme during 2006-07.

The awards were given based on the recommendation of the Collector.

The award carried a certificate and cash prizes ranging from Rs.50,000 to Rs. 4 lakh depending upon the population of each panchayat.

The Collector, Tenkasi S. Jawahar, on Thursday, appreciated the panchayat chiefs who won the awards and appealed to other presidents to emulate the winners.

A sum of about Rs. 6.4 crore (Rs. 3.95 crore from the Centre and Rs.2.45 crore from the State) was allocated to the district under the programme for all the 434 village panchayats in the district.

A sum of Rs. 3.65 crore had so far been spent, Mr. Jawhar said. Out of the 27 awardees, two persons - G.G. Kanagasundaram of Thirupoondi and C.T. Rajasimhan of Shenbagarayanallur - received the highest cash prize of Rs. 4 lakh each.